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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses that are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.